Any good stone/masonry fire pit will incorporate fire brick and refractory mortar. This is your best option for limiting the radiant heat from a fire. Do a web search on it and you will find what you need.

All of those plant selections will grow too large for the space. They will grow into the walk and impede movement. As you have it drawn, the trunk is only a foot away from the walk. That’s not even enough room for the root ball nor an adequate tree pit with amended soil. The maple needs water and shade which might not be available. The Red…[Read more]

Thanks so much for proving my point. You’ve been ‘surviving’ for four years and I am assuming you have experience. Do you think things will pick up enough in the next two-three years for an inexperienced mla grad to get decent work at graduation? I am just trying to give her a little insight into the profession as it stands today and will fo…[Read more]

Honestly, my comments are only meant to help you. The truth is I and many of the la’s laid off with me are on the brink of losing everything. We barely make our mortgages and put food on the table. The longer this depression goes on, the more I realize that it is nearly impossible to support a family and work in this industry. There is no co…[Read more]

Sadly, I feel you have not really grasped the reality and magnitude of what this profession has endured over the past five years. I honestly hope you gathered real world information about the current and future state of the industry from others outside academia. Did you not read the posts on this forum stating the plain facts about this p…[Read more]

Agreed, Mike. It’s dog eat dog out there and it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. If you’re still lucky enough to have a job in an office, copy every project folder you need to help you get that next job. Your present company is NEVER as loyal to you as you are to it. As Mike said, just state what part of the project you wor…[Read more]

So we should continue to pony up money and volunteer our time (and pray that it will lead to a job) for an organization whose leader is completely ignorant of the state of the profession? This Tavella is nothing more than a magazine seller.

So apparently when the ‘leaders’ of the ASLA stick their heads in the sand, all you see are a bunch of asses. You have got to be freakin kidding me. I always knew ASLA was a self congratulatory organization but I had no idea they were outright frauds. ASLA is ridiculous and this joker of a ‘president’ has only proved it even further. Ple…[Read more]

I have been waiting for the industry to ‘uptick’ for three years. I wouldn’t bet on it getting better in the next two. Don’t waste your time and money on this career path. The utter collapse of this industry has nearly cost me everything. Don’t let this happen to you.

Clearly, architects have no clue what it takes to create a meaningful, spiritual outdoor space. Why do architects believe they can do every other discipline’s job better than they can? Oh wait, I know….huge egos are a job requirement for them.

At the last interview I had in which I got the job, I just emulated the interviewer. When they talked about themselves, I did the same. When they sat back in their chair and crossed their leg, I did the same. When they laughed at something unfunny, I did too. Hiring managers what someone exactly like themselves just working for a quarter of…[Read more]

Designs like these always look so good in a perfect 3D Studio Max environment but the reality of the design, constructability, durability and sustainability are nearly always flawed. The idea seems nice, an infinite forest using mirrors. Here’s what I see from a Landscape Architect, Contractor and Facilities Maintenance point of view.
Flaw: …[Read more]

They are looking for kids with little to no experience who will work for little pay, put up with crap and are human pencils for principals who can’t run cad. (If you are attractive, that is a bonus.) Years of experience, extensive knowledge of plants/materials/planning/engineering don’t count for squat right now.

“There will always be jobs for good LAs.” I know dozens of good and great LA’s who have been out of work for so long they have lost nearly everything. Do you even understand what is happening to this industry? Have you read any of the multitudes of topics on this site regarding the number of qualified LA’s out of work for years and months. I…[Read more]

How can ASLA become relevant in the industry again? That should be the real question. ASLA is an organization that is completely disconnected from the reality of the industry they supposedly represent. It’s an organization that continues to ignore the plight of those who LA’s who have lost their jobs. It’s an organization tha…[Read more]

Quick, the client needs 2 more rendered full size alternatives of this plan with labels and in an email format within 30 minutes……Oh wait, you hand rendered this…and had to go to Kinko’s to scan it…and there are no labels……Nevermind.
I love hand rendering but in many large, fast-paced offices hand rendering is luxury that just doesn’t…[Read more]